The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Susan Monarez, has been dismissed just a few weeks into her term. This comes amid other high-ranking officials who have left their positions due to vaccine policies and health directives. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the White House have confirmed this news.
HHS released a statement thanking Monarez for her service to the American people, without providing a reason for her termination. A White House spokesperson elaborates that Monarez’s dismissal was due to her refusal to step down and her lack of alignment with President Trump’s “Making America Healthy Again” agenda.
Monarez’s lawyers issue a statement accusing her of being targeted for opposing the “dangerous politicization of science” and for refusing to endorse unscientific directives that put public health at risk. They emphasize that this is not just about one person but represent a broader attack on public health institutions and the undermining of evidence-based practices.
In addition to Monarez’s dismissal, four other senior officials at the CDC have resigned. This includes the agency’s top medical officer, heads of infectious diseases and immunization and respiratory diseases, and the director of public health data. Their resignations were likely triggered by budget cuts, reorganization, and political pressure, according to an email sent by one of the officials. These challenges have been exacerbated during President Trump’s administration, which has seen a rise in vaccine misinformation.
One of the Stepping down officials also warns that the CDC’s efforts are being hindered by political motives, which could lead to the “death and disability of vulnerable children and adults.”
The dismissals and resignations highlight the political tensions influencing public health measures, particularly concerning vaccine policies. Secretary of Health, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is known for his skepticism of vaccines, has significantly overhauled U.S. vaccine policy, leading to widespread criticism from health experts and CDC employees. The situation reached a point where armed individuals attacked the Atlanta-based CDC, blaming Covid vaccines for their illnesses. This incident has sparked even more concern about the impact of misinformation from high-ranking officials.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/us-cdc-director-fired-after-4-weeks-leading-public-health-agency/a-73789762?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
